Priorities to prevent and tackle loneliness and isolation in Wales
Health and care organisations have come together through the Welsh NHS Confederation Policy Forum to outline the key areas that the Welsh Government should consider during the consultation ‘Connected Communities: Tackling Loneliness and Social Isolation’.
Loneliness and isolation is a significant and growing issue amongst our population. According to the 2016-17 National Survey for Wales, around 17% of the population, or 440,000 people, report being lonely. It is important to recognise that although loneliness and isolation are two different concepts, both relate to people’s sense of connection with others. Isolation refers to separation from social or familial contact, community involvement, or access to services.
Loneliness, by contrast, can be understood as an individual’s personal, subjective sense of lacking these things to the extent that they are wanted or needed.
Loneliness is deeply personal – its causes, consequences and its very existence are impossible to determine without reference to the individual and their own values, needs, wishes and feelings. As such, it is a complex issue to address. However, it is an issue that must be addressed due to the far reaching and devastating impacts it has on those who experience it on a daily basis.
